Ping I5, G5, I3+ or I3+ Blade

gnewt · February 22, 2006

I am currently a 16 handicap and for the last 7 years I have been playing Wilson Fatshaft Tour Cast (Less Off set, smaller head)

I loved the look at the I3 Pings and when I went to get fit in the fall my local shop no longer had them.

I demo'd the I5 and I loved them, I was considering getting 4,5,6 iron in the G5 and the 7,8,9,P & G wedge in the I5.

My question is, For the difference in price is it worth it for me to go with the set I have mentioned above or would I be better served trying to get a set of either I3+ or I3+ blades off of Ebay? (For probably less than 1/2 the cost) If so, does anyone know if I can still have them adjusted to my fit (From Canada).

I love my Wilson's but, I find with the fat shaft that the weight is not right and the feel is reduced. I was looking at Titleist 690.cb's but I don't know if I have the time to put into that club. My swing seep is 103 MPH with a Driver and I believe from the Ping website static fit that I am a Green Dot iron with Standard length and White Grip. Stiff Shaft!

I know this overlaps closely with some other ping discussions, but I wanted to see if I could get a more direct answer.

abewley · February 22, 2006

get fit before u buy.. might cost you 50 bucks.. but oh well.

there are tons of color codes on ebay so get the one u need.

the static fitting is usually pretty close.. unless the fitter is trying to fix a swing flaw.. like more upright irons if you tend to hit it right.. etc.

i would get some G2's... would be better for u at a 16.

bogeyk · February 22, 2006

Your shop should be able to order the I3's from Ping if that's what you want. Many of Pings older clubs are still available, they just don't stock them at the shops.

gnewt · February 22, 2006

I did try the G2 and I wasn't that fond of them. The reason for my 16 handicap is not my irons, I tend to hit my irons very good, with a slight draw. I tend to make the typical mid handicap mistake of under clubbing myself, but more importantly I have been known to have up to 27 putts over a 9 hole span. Therfore I currently spend most of my time working on putting. Luckily it started to come around at the end of last season and I will anticipate my handicap dropping signifigantly this year from the putting lessons and practice I have put in.

As for the Irons, I currently want something with a slightly higher ball flight than I currently have. I would be willing to give up distance for this, such as hitting my 7 iron 150yds instead of 160yds, but I don't want the ball to balloon.

I couldn't agree more, I need to have a full fitting done. My big question is, is their a feel difference between the I5 and the I3+ irons. If they are very or identically similar than I will go after the cheaper I3+. If however they are different than I won't risk it and I will go with the I5's.

Thank you all for your assistance.

herkyjerk · February 22, 2006

The i5's are ridiculous. They are like a players club with game improvement forgiveness. No goofy off-set either. When you get fitted make sure you HIT BALLS. The web fitting & static fittings are just a start. My static & web fit was green dot but my ball flight brought me back to a black. You must get fitted, it's critical. After that all you have to do is watch yur ball soar to the pin. Good Luck

shook23 · February 23, 2006

I've got the I3+ (not blade, not OS) and they do hit it quite high. Mine at +1/2", and one degree strong in loft with ZZ-65 shafts, which are supposed to be between an S and an X. I still hit the short irons high, but not ballooning. I usually play a draw, which is pretty natural given the offset. Looking for a little more workability as my striking gets better, I'm going to look at the S59s and I5s this spring...

Clemson656 · February 23, 2006

The i5's are ridiculous. They are like a players club with game improvement forgiveness. No goofy off-set either. When you get fitted make sure you HIT BALLS. The web fitting & static fittings are just a start. My static & web fit was green dot but my ball flight brought me back to a black. You must get fitted, it's critical. After that all you have to do is watch yur ball soar to the pin. Good Luck

When I read your comment, after finishing the first sentense, I thought you didn't like it. It's quite misleading. ;)

herkyjerk · February 23, 2006

Fellow ACC guy - You were mislead because you went to UVA or Clemson, GO HOKIES!. Just kidding just kidding. Allow me to clarify. The i5's are just awesome, I love PING irons. I played eye2, zings, g2 (not their best effort), and i5's (best ever IMO). I demoed the s59 you play but I don't think I have quite the game for them (11 HC). Enjoy

Punchy50 · February 23, 2006

I currently play the i3+ Blades and love them. I reshafted with S300 and its made a world of difference from the CS Lites. I've demoed the i5 and didn't feel they were any better and not worth spending the cash.